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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 1933

Vol. 50 No. 4

In Committee on Finance. - Oireachtas (Payment of Members) Bill, 1933—Money Resolution.

I move:—

Go bhfuil sé oiriúnach a údarú go n-íocfaí, amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, costaisí ar bith fé n-a raghfar chun éifeachta do thabhairt d'Acht ar bith a rithfear sa tSiosón so chun leasuithe do dhéanamh, de dhruim Airtiogail 17 den Bhunreacht do scriosadh amach. ar an dlí bhaineas le liúntaisí d'íoc le baill den Oireachtas agus le saoráidé do chur ar fáil dóibh chun taistil do dhéanamh gan íoc as.

That it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of any expenses incurred in carrying into effect any Act of the present session to amend, in consequence of the deletion of Article 17 of the Constitution, the law relating to the payment of allowances to and the provision of free travelling facilities for members of the Oireachtas.

It is not anticipated that the additional expenditure that will arise as a result of this Bill under which provision is made for the first time for complying with the Standing Orders at the date of such compliance will be very great. In the year of a general election it may be taken that the estimated cost will be £100 but in any other year it would not exceed £10.

I really do not know what the purpose of this Resolution is. What is the necessity for a proposal of this kind? Is there some new obligation imposed on Deputies of this House by the legislation referred to by the Minister that would necessitate their travelling any more than they travelled in the past?

No, but on occasions in the past it has been possible for members, by travelling to Dublin some sufficient period before the date on which the Dáil was to assemble, to qualify for the members' allowance. After the date of the passing of this Bill they will be entitled to allowance only from the date on which they comply with the Standing Orders. In the case of some Deputies that would necessitate their travelling the day previous and it is proposed that travelling expenses should be allowed to members who come to Dublin for the purpose of complying with the Standing Orders.

So this just means that heretofore we could not get back our railway fares for the day we come up to take the oath. We get the fare now and we are going to be paid to come up and to say that we do not mean to take the oath.

Is there not some little ambiguity about the statement as to when the money is to be paid, the allowances got, and the travelling expenses made available?

Perhaps the Deputy would defer that point to the Committee Stage.

Motion agreed to.
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